The thought was inconceivable. Pregnant? But how? He paced back and forth, she sat in the corner curled tightly, staring at the ground. She was still trying to come to terms with the whole thing as well. At least it explained her sickness and her fatigue. But conception between a wraith and human was never heard of. This of course forced Ryan to wonder just how human was she? The next thing he wondered was, did her wraith master know this? Would he be looking for her? Despite the total confusion, he still felt a need to protect her. She had been used, she was vulnerable, he wouldn't let her be taken advantage of again.
A similar pacing was going on in the commander's quarters. It had been far too long, there was no sign of her; she couldn't survive on the ship without some care, considering how sick she had been leaving him. He had to find her, perhaps she was hiding somewhere, sneaking food, or maybe some of the other worshipers were caring for her. That was punishable by death, but he wasn't concerned with that much. His first stop was the commons area. That's where human gossip went on; someone had to have seen her. Pulling on his long black coat he strut from his quarters, stalking down the halls, a threatening air to him.
"We are going to watch over you, don't worry." Ryan said, finally deciding to approach her. He was crouched by her bed and took her hand. She looked sadly up at him and pulled away shaking her head. She closed her eyes fighting tears.
"Wouldn't it be better if I died? Or at least lost the child? I mean what will it even be like?" She choked. Obviously this had been a question weighing heavily on her mind, something he had considered as well. He took a deep breath and let it out sitting in the ground leaning against her bed.
"Keeping the child is your decision, but I won't let you die." He said sternly looking at the opposite wall. There was a heavy silence when she scooted off the bed and snuggled next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Her soft breath brushed against his neck.
"I hardly know you… but thank you." She whispered softly then closed her eyes. It wasn't long before she had fallen asleep. Ryan leaned his head back and was starting to drift off as well when the door opened and Nancy scurried in quickly. She motioned Ryan over then walked into another room. Slowly and gently he slipped away from the girl and followed Nancy. As soon as he was in the room she grabbed his shoulders.
"Ryan!, The commander is looking for her! She is the commanders human!" Nancy was obviously highly panicked. He found out she was being held here, he would surely kill all the humans on the ship! She turned around and paced agitated. Ryan crossed his arms. This was not good at all. Then another fearful thought seeped into Nancy's mind. "What if he thinks the child is yours!" She exclaimed rushing to Ryan, who was like a son to her now. Ryan held her and patted her on the back. Then an idea came.
"That's perfect!" Ryan said pulling Nancy back. She gave him a confused look and hit him on the shoulder.
"That's terrible! If he thinks it's yours he will kill you! Or worse!" She cried falling to the ground. Ryan shook his head and smiled lifting her up.
"No, listen, if he thinks it's mine, he is less likely to freak out about it and kill her. In fact he is more likely to think of it as an opportunity! He might punish me, but it would explain her running off, and it would save the rest of our friends!" The plan was perfect in Ryan's mind, but Nancy was not sure. He figured that a child also might give an excuse to the girl to convince her master that she needed to get off the ship while carrying it and that would be her chance to run. "Nancy, you are a genius." Before she could say anything he had left. She stood in the room, fear seeping into her. She didn't even get to finish telling him that the commander had given a threat to whoever was holding her.
He came to the girl and woke her up with a gentle smile. He lifted her carefully and brushed her hair back. She looked at him strange and wrapped her arms around her body.
"What's wrong?" She asked, still sleepy. He motioned for her to sit on the bed.
"You commander is looking for you." When she heard those words fear lit up in her eyes as she shook her head. "No relax, we have an idea. If you go to him, tell him you're pregnant, but tell him it's mine." The fear was replaced with confusion.
"Why would I do that?" She asked softly placing a hand on her rounding stomach.
"That way, he will spare the rest of the human population, and you may be able to convince him to let you live on a planet while you carry the child. That would be your chance to escape this life." He explained, and slowly she began to understand.
"But what about you?" She said resting her hand on his, concerned for his safety.
"I'll be fine, don't worry, I doubt he will do any serious damage." He said smiling. She smiled in return. "Oh you still need a name. How about Echo?" He said softly. Her face lit up. Finally she had a name.
"I like that." She nodded. Ryan patted her shoulder then left the room. As soon as he was gone, she felt cold and alone again. She had to go back to him, she had to face that creature that did this to her. She shuttered slightly then took a deep breath. Nothing has changed. She was just as strong as ever, he would not control her, and he would never find out this child was his.
The day came when the commander stepped into the commons to find her sitting at one of the tables nibbling on a piece of bread. She looked a lot healthier. Her hair shinned again. A deep relief washed over him, but he kept a stern face as he stalked up to her and grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him. She cringed and Ryan jumped up.
"Hey! Don't hurt her." He growled. Ryan was almost as tall as the commander, and was well built, but when those yellow eyes turned on him, he quickly felt his strength leaving. The commander snarled and shoved Echo behind him. Stalking toward the human male he struck him across the face causing him to fall to the ground. Echo squeaked in shock and grabbed her master's arm.
"Stop!" She cried out. Frustrated he shoved her off and kicked the human over and pressed his boot to his chest, pushing the air from his lungs. He held it there until Ryan started going pale, arms flailing for breath. Finally he released him and growled, kicking him one more time he grabbed Echo and shoved her from the room. As soon as they were a good distance from the humans he pushed her against the wall and growled.
"What the hell do you think you were doing!" He roared, she flinched away from him and looked at the ground. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. "That will never be tolerated again!" He snarled. He was about to hit her, and instinctively she crouched wrapping her arms around the little bulge in her stomach. He stopped and looked at her. She was not one to flee from punishment. It took a moment, but he soon realized what she was doing. Impossible. He pulled her up and moved her arms pressing his hand to her stomach he realized It was true. "How?" He asked staring at the lump. She quickly covered it and looked at the ground ashamed.
"You don't think I just stayed in your room for the hours you were gone did you?" She said softly, playing out the lie and hoping he would take it. There was a pause and she felt him relax. He believed her.
"That man?" He asked. She nodded slowly and he sighed deeply taking her arm he lead her back to the room and pushed her in. But that was the extent of their contact the rest of the night. He avoided her completely, but she could sense he was unsettled by the whole thing, contemplating what to do. Finally the next day she couldn't take it. One hand resting on her stomach she walked up to him.
"Please, I can't take the silence, not right now." She begged softly. He turned around slowly and stared at her. That stern, expressionless wraith look scared her for the first time. She back up, suddenly afraid he would hurt her child. He stood slowly and moved until he was an inch from her.
"You realize, if any other wraith had you, he would kill you and your lover." He purred softly and stroked her hair. She nodded, holding back her repulsion.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you." She said pulled back slightly. That struck his ego. He wasn't hurt…was he? He growled softly and shook his head and turned away from her.
"The only person you hurt is yourself." He spat and vanished into the other room. She heaved a sigh and collapsed on the couch. Wraith and their pride! She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She needed to get off this ship.
It was month four, and she was showing significantly. The unmistakable baby bump was fell rounded, and none could deny, she looked good pregnant. The rest of her was still skinny, and from behind you couldn't even tell. She had that glow as well, her whole being seemed to sparkle. Often at night the commander found himself watching her sleep, taking in the sweet scent of a pregnant woman. But something was different, he couldn't quite tell what, but something was off about this whole thing. This morning, when she got up she groaned slightly and almost fell. He hardly paid any attention, but inside he tightened up. She growled in effort and made her way to his desk and leaned on the edge of it.
"Take me off this ship, please? This is no environment for a child." She said softly, cringing slightly. He turned to her and frowned.
"Perhaps you should have thought about that before?" He was obviously amused. She gritted her teeth, wanting to scream: You the one who screwed me! But she knew she had to keep playing this game. She put on her best pathetic face.
"Please, have compassion on me. You can still keep an eye on me, come down whenever you can, you will know where I am at all times." She begged grabbing her stomach. He eyed her then turned around, ending the conversation. She sighed exasperated and shuffled to the couch and sat down. She thought he had forgotten about it, but two weeks later he came to her.
"I have a planet for you. But as soon as the child is born, you are returning." She beamed up at him as he snuck her off the ship once more, taking her to a planet, much to her despair, without a gate. When he dropped her off she did her best to smile and thank him continually. Reluctantly leaving her, he vanished into the sky and she collapsed on the ground in a tantrum.
"Why!" She yelled to the sky and laid back. "Why do you torture me so." She said softly and soon fell asleep in the soft grass.